 Despite the construction of a series of fortifications south of the town, the Italians under General Rodolfo Graziani defeated the Ethiopian defenders in the Battle of the Ogaden, and occupied Degehabur 30 April 1936.In the East African campaign in World War II, the Nigerian Brigade drove the Italians from the town in March, 1941.Degahabur was fiercely defended by the 11th Brigade of the Ethiopian Army at the beginning of the Ogaden War, until the unit was ordered at the end of July 1977 to withdraw to Jijiga.